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A Touch of Madness 73
Anxiety and fear continued to haunt me throughout the way home. I kept trying to focus on the road as I drove my car but the man's words still swirled in my head.And how could he know that I was trying to get away from Sebastian? That I wanted to be free of him? Was it Vito who said that to him? To everyone in the Cosa Nostra? I should have asked him that earlier but I was so shocked that I couldn't ask anything else.I parked the car in the garage and took a long breath, staring at the envelope on the seat next to me. It looked simple but classy, with a gold seal in the center. I picked it up with hands trembling with anxiety and opened the envelope slowly. I pulled out what was inside, and there was nothing in the small black art carton.It's just my name 'Isabella Rossi' and 9:30 P.M. August 18. Sanyara Club. Salem, Massachusetts.That's two days away.But, Salem.....Why Salem? Is there some kind of witch ritual they're going to do there? Are they going to make Sebastian suffer w
A Touch of Madness 74
My eyes narrowed when I saw the familiar luxury car in Ace's schoolyard. It was Sebastian's. What's wrong with him? Why is he here? I sent him a message that I would pick Ace up from school. Did he not receive my message? Or is he too busy to care?Sighing, I stopped my car a little distance away from him. He wasn't outside, apparently choosing to sit inside rather than wait outside in the sun. I took one look at his car as I passed by it to get into Ace's school. At this hour, they usually practice singing or drawing. It was usually art, and parents were allowed to join in to watch their activities.I stopped in front of Ace's classroom, and it seemed like none of the parents had picked up their children yet. Was I too early?I stare at the glass window that shows the inside of the classroom. Ace is sitting with his ponytail girl classmates, and they are painting something on a big piece of paper."Isa," the heavy call made me turn my head.I looked at Sebastian, who was walking slow
A Touch of Madness 75
Killian had yet to give me his location, and I'd told Kate that Killian had contacted me, and we'd talked on the call all the way back from lunch. Ace was in my car, but Sebastian was following close behind. I tried not to care, but I couldn't. I'd told him several times that his presence bothered me,"Who called you earlier?" Sebastian asked when I got out of my car while Ace ran into the house, calling his grandma to come back to play in her greenhouse.I frowned, "Owen, he was asking about what other training we could provide for our new employee."He frowned, his features flat and his eyes glaring at me like he didn't believe my answer. Well, he couldn't prove it wrong because I had bought a new phone, which he couldn't hack anymore. So, maybe that was the reason why he was so curious about this.Throughout lunch, I caught him looking at me suspiciously, and he checked his phone several times. I hoped he hadn't heard news about Killian. Or did he already know? And he was checking
A Touch of Madness 76: Principessa
"Where are you going?" my father's question made me nervous."A potential investor is interested in developing 'JOY'. I'm meeting him this afternoon," I replied, grinning at my father.My father closed his eyes briefly before saying, "You said you didn't want to take any investor's offer because of your poor investor history.""But this is Kate's friend. It'll be fine." I replied again. Yeah, I didn't really have a choice anymore. I had to lie because my father might know about Capo being there. "We'll meet around Cambridge."My dad nodded. "I always supports whatever you want to do, Bella. If you make another misstep, I will help you."I was sure he would. He was the best dad for me. And I was sure that he would do that if only he knew about Sebastian giving me a hard time. It made me wonder if my dad really didn't know or if he pretended not to see because he had fallen for Sebastian's manipulation.Did he know that I already knew about the cosa nostra? Did he know that this was all
A Touch of Madness 77: madness
Sebastian. Flashback. Our meeting to discuss brotherhood business is the least of my concerns at the moment. Or most of the time, really.I have a role to play, and it's behind the scenes. The decisions my father makes are directly influenced by my opinions backed by my intel. The brotherhood rise in rank to one of the most indispensable pillars didn't happen just by luck. It was based on logic.I realized early on that to continue to thrive in our familia cartel, I needed the system in place. Trusted men-Marc and Diaz, although Diaz pushed it. Hackers. Informants in every possible organization. Although these elements existed during my grandfather's time, they had not been utilized to their full potential. I changed that and made them the strongest part of the cartel.Power is not shouting orders and taking up arms. They don't declare war and go on the offensive to show masculinity. True power smolders behind it, silenced in low tones and feared in public. I have become like that
A Touch of Madness 78: madness II
I've watched lives end right before my eyes.Not once.Not twice.But many times.After I saw life leave my grandmother's body when I was ten years old, I had an epiphany. Ah. Death is that easy.Death is a trigger pull, a splash of blood, and empty eyes. If grandmother, the Dominican who was fearless and stronger than life itself, was killed so easily, then her actions wouldn't have been so difficult. That's why I never feared death. Never looked the other way from it. Never hesitated in front of it.In fact, I barged straight into it. I subdued it and pushed it to it's knees in front of me, just like Grandpa did to Grandma, then shot her in the face. I had avoided death's clutches so often that I considered myself immune to it.In a way, death was meaningless to me.It doesn't touch me.Won't touch me.It was my fault. A glitch in my system.Although I'd never feared the end-or anything really-since my grandmother was executed, there was something I feared I'd lose.Or someone.O
A Touch of Madness 79: madness
A few months ago. Snow fell slowly, like ice flakes crumbling from the gray sky, decorating the yard of her grandfather's house. The cold creeps in, freezing, but it's nothing compared to what I feel inside.Isabella stood in the doorway, her stomach distended, her eyes looking at me with disappointment. At first glance, she looked strong, but behind her hard gaze, there was something fragile. Something that was breaking because of me.I stood still, suffocated by the weight of the feelings I had harbored for too long. Her image during this time never left my mind. Her trembling lips and her pale cheeks made my heart squeeze. I knew I had hurt her more than words could fix."You flew from Madrid to Milan just to stay silent?" Her voice came out sharp yet shaky, like a wall beginning to crack but still holding. There was anger tucked away, and underneath, a sadness I'd made too deep. I could hear her unspoken cries, crackling between each word.I sighed softly, the snow in my hair star
A Touch of Madness 80: Isabella
I swallowed a sleeping pill as I finished cleaning myself, and lay down on the bed. Ace was already there, my mom also sleeping by his side. Not wanting to wake them up, I moved up the bed slowly. Sighing heavily, I looked up at the faces of the two of them. My father, my mother, Belle-even though we were in a tense period-and Ace... I loved them so much. I love them so much that I don't want anything bad to happen to them.Sebastian's arrival was torture enough, coupled with his behavior that almost bankrupted my father's company, it put us on the edge.Sebastian was already freely toying with us at his fingertips because he wanted his son with him, for the weapon that would allow him to gain power, starting with the terrible doctrines he would give Ace. Ace...He was just an innocent, pure boy who was enthusiastic and curious about the world at the age of four.Obviously, children can be indoctrinated or influenced by the things around them without knowing whether it is good or ba
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